Automatic weighing-machine.



No. 666,6l5, v Patented Ian. 22, I90l.

E. HANAK. v AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheots8hoet l,

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v No. 666,6I5., Patonted Ian. 22, I90l.

E. HANAK. AUTOIATIG WEIGHING IAC HINE.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @FFIGE.

EDWARD HANAK, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SCALEAND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

AUTOMATIC WElGHlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 666,615, dated January22, 190i. Application filed May 10, 1899. Serial No. 716,267. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD HANAK, a citizen of the United States,residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Weighing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to an automatic weighing-machine.

Its object is to provide a simple device for this purpose which willfeed from a suitable source free flowing material, weigh the sameaccurately, and discharge the weighed material into a suitable bag,carton, or other receptacle and perform these functions automaticallyand with greater accuracy than has been heretofore possible withautomatic weighing contrivances. Heretofore difficulty has beenexperienced with this class of machines owing to the variability broughtabout by changes in the suspended stream. By suspended stream I mean thematerial which is still falling when the scale-beam commences to move.It is obvious that a suspended stream of a given bulk of leaden shotwould weigh more than a like stream of bran. The resultant weights ofvarious materials will. consequently vary for the samecounterpoiseweight. The same undesirable result will occur in a modifiedway with some materials due to variations of atmospheric conditions. Toovercome this undesired condition is one of the objects of the presentinvention.

One of the preferable forms in which this invention may be incorporatedis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is aside elevation of the device, portions being broken away to betterillustrate the construction. Fig. 2 shows a plan view, portions of whichare also shown broken away to facilitate illustration. Fig. 3 isasectional elevation showing a full-size fillin -stream of materialflowinginto the weighing-receptacle. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevationshowing the receptacle with nearly its complement of material and aweighing-stream supplying what it lacks of the required weight. Fig. 5is a similar View to Fig. 4, showing the device in the next stage,dumping its load. Fig. 6

view of Fig. 6.

shows a detail of the adjustable stop for cut-0E on enlarged scale. Fig.7 is an end Fig. Sis a sectional elevation showing a modified form ofthe construction adapted to weigh into cartons or other independentreceptacles. Fig. 9 is a detail, on enlarged scale, of the mechanism ofthe first contacting device or secondary weighingbeam. Fig. 10 is adiagrammatic view showing the electrical connections and wiring.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A is a suitable source ofsupply, shown in the present instance as a hopper resting upon aplatform or table B. Through this table B is a supply-aperture 1),controlled by a gate, slide, or other suitable cut-off device. This isillustrated in the drawings as a plate C, sliding freely in guides onthe lower side of table B. In this'form the plate is preferably actuatedin one direction by a coil-spring C, one end of which is attached to thetable. It is also provided with two latch-lugs, one of which, C ispreferably integral with the plate and the other, D, may be madeadjustable and provided with an adjusting-screw d or other suitablemeans for movably securing it in place, as shown in Figs. 3, 6, and 7.To the sliding plate C is attached a pawl, tappet, or other suitabletripping device C adapted to operate in one direction only. The slide Cis also supplied with a contact 0 on its upper surface, insulatedtherefrom, suitably placed to engage and make electrical contact withtwo pairs of brush-contacts C C and C C successively by the slidingmovement of plate C, thereby making and breaking the circuit. When, asin the present form, the cutofi C is opened by hand, a suitable handle 0is provided wherewith to draw out the cutoff plate, and thus open thesupply-aperture b. A suitable holding and releasing device (shownherein, Fig. 3, as an electrically-operated latch-pawl E, pivotal] yattached to the table B in the path of the lugs C and D) is provided tohold the cut-off device open and adapted to engage with either of thelugs C and D.

Beneath the supply-aperture a weighingreceptacle of any suitable form orconstruction is provided in the path of the material. I have shown forthe purposes of the form of the invention herein illustrated a bucket F,provided with a hinged counterweighted falling bottom f, suspended froma graduated beam G, which is pivoted on suitable bearings g, dependingfrom the table B and provided with the usual stationary and slidingweights g and g respectively, constituting a weightmoved member, asshown in Figs. 1 and 3. This form of receptacle I preferably employ whenthe materials to be weighed are to be automatically discharged from theweighingreceptacle into their permanent package, and under thesecircumstances I prefer to surround the weighing-bucket with an outsidestationary shell or casing H, provided with a tapering or funnel-shapedbottom to guide the material and prevent the escape of dust due to thefalling of light or finely-divided substances. For the purpose ofoperating the falling bottomfa spring-latch f is provided with abell-cran k tripping-leverf suspended from the table B in the path ofthe actuatingtappet C to engage therewith, Fig. 3.

Then it is desired to feed the material to be weighed directly into itspermanent package or receptacle and avoid the use of the bucket as such,the bottom-tripping mechananism may be thrown out of gear at any of thejoints between the latch and the sliding plate. Thus the dumpingfunction of the bucketbottom is dispensed with, and it becomes simply awearing-platen for the support of the carton or otherpacking-case,wl1ich is removed by hand or other suitable means whenfilled and weighed. \Vhen it is desirable to still further reduce theweight of the suspended stream, as when small cartons are to be filled,the bottom fmay be made adjustable as to height or a separate plate orplaten introduced and lugs or other supporting devices provided, eitherstationary or adjustable,for supporting the movable bottom. Forsimplicity I have shown the provision for this contingency as lugs orribs F on the sides of the bucket, as shown particularly in Fig. 8, anda loose plate F resting thereon to serve as a support for a carton.lVhen the loose plate F and the lugs F are employed to support cartons,one or two of the side walls of the weighirig-receptacle may be omittedor the side may be hinged, or any other simple means of providing accessto the interior of the weighing-receptacle may be provided. Thismodification is shown in Fig. 8.

Suitable electromagnetic devices and connections are provided to operatethe pawl E in such manner that the pawl is raised out of contact withthe lugs C and D successively by the continued raising of theweighingbeam G, due to increasing weight deposited in theweighing-receptacle. These devices and connections in connection withthe illustrated form of the invention consist, preferably,of thefollowinginstrumentalities, (illustrated fully in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, andparticularly shown in Figs. 9 and 10:) Attached to the frame of themachine is a light pivoted insulated contact I, forming a secondsupplementary weighing-beam, also another weightmoved member. Adjacentthereto and adapted to engage therewith is an electrical contactpoint I,attached to the main weighing-beam. Another light contact connection,shown in the form of a flat spring J, is secured to the weighing-beam,and an insulated adjustable contact-point J is provided, adapted to forman electrical connection by the continued upward movement of thescale-beam. These contact connections are suitably wired with a sourceof electrical energy K and a magnet L to actuate, by magneticattraction, the upward extension 6 of the pivoted pawl E. Thiselectrical connection or wiring is clearly shown in Fig. 2 and in thediagram Fig. 10. In the construction illustrated, K represents anelectric battery, one pole of which is connected to one pole of theelectromagnet L. The other pole of the electromagnet L is connected toone member of each pair of brushes 0 C, which are insulated from tableB. The other member of the pair of brushes 0 is connected to thecontact-point J. The other member of the pair of brushes 0 is connectedto the weighing-beam G. The other pole of the battery K is connected tothe beam I.

The operation of this device is as follows: The cut-oil plate 0 iswithdrawn to its greatest extent, leaving a full flowing-opening for thematerial, as shown in Fig. 3, the scalebeam having been weighed andadjusted to the required weight. Then the amount of material has falleninto the weighing-receptacle suflicient to start'the weighing-beamupward, the point I touches the light pivoted contactbeam I, makingelectrical contact therewith, the strip 0', connecting the two membersof the pair of brushes G energizing the magnet L, thus releasing thepawl E from engagement with the lug C. thus released is drawn across theaperture 1) till the pawl E engages with the adjustable stop D, which issuitably adjusted to leave a small opening of the feed-aperture I), asshown in Fig. 4:, providing for a weighing-stream of very smalldimensions. The strip 0* is now connecting the two members of the pairof brushes C. The weight in the bucket continues to increase by theincrement of the weighing-stream. The scale-beam continues to rise tillthe touching of J and J again makes a yielding electrical contact andagain energizes the magnet and operates the pawl E, thus again releasingthe plate C, this time wholly closing the supply-aperture. During thesedescribed operations the electrical current flows in thefollowing-described man ner: lVhen the scale-beam is empty of the loadto be weighed, the electrical circuit is of course broken anddiscontinuous. When the load has reached the amount to make the firstcontactthat is, between I and Ithe electric circuit is completed,following the course from one pole of the battery K to the magnet L,thence through the pair of brushes 0 to the The cutolf mainweighing-beam G, and thence through its contact-point I andsupplementary weighing beam I to the other pole of the battery Kr Theweight having reached its full complement and the second contact made,the second electrical circuit is made, the first having been broken bythe strip 0 passing from the pair of brushes C to the pair of brushes Gthe current now starting from the same pole of the battery asheretofore, thence to the magnet L, from the magnet to the connectedpair of brushes C thence to the contact-point J, through thespring-contact J to the main weighing-beam G, thence through itscontact-point I, secondary weighing-beam I, and so to the other .pole ofthe battery. The last movement of the cut-off plate performs anotherfunctionthat of dumping the weighed material. This is brought about bythe engagement of the tappet O with the upward extension of the leverf,which in turn releases the latch f, thus permitting the hinged bottom tofall and discharge the contents of the bucket, as shown in Fig. 5. Thebottom being freed of its load recloses and latches by being suitablycounterweighed and is ready for another charge.

The operation in connection with cartonfilling, as already referred to,is substantially the same as that just described, with the exception ofdischarge after weighing.

It is apparent that many changes in detail will readily suggestthemselves to mechanics or become necessary in connection with thevarious forms of weighing devices and the materials to be weighedwithout departing in any way from the essential character of thisinvention. I therefore do not desire to confine myself to the particularform of construction herein set forth or arrangement of or proportion ofparts herein shown; but

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electrically-controlled weighingmachine having a beam providedwith a pea or other suitable counterpoise, a bucket or receptacle toreceive the material to be weighed attached on one of the arms of thescale beam, a hopper arranged over said bucket provided with adischarge-opening, said opening having a slidable gate provided withprojections adapted to engage with an electrically-actua ted pawl andmeans whereby through the movement of the scale-beam said pawl engagessuccessively with the pro jections to effect a large filling and a smallweighing stream, a supplementary weighingbeam suitably arranged inelectrical connection where by the pawl is disengaged from the slidinggate to permit its complete closing and means for discharging theWeighed material.

2. In an electrically-controlled Weighingmachine having a beam providedwith a pea or other suitable counterpoise, a bucket or receptacle havinga hinged falling bottom to receive the material to be weighed attachedon one of the arms of the scale-beam, a hop per arranged over saidbucket provided with a discharge-opening, said opening having a slidablegate provided with projections adapted to engage with anelectrically-actuated pawl and means whereby through the movement of thescale-beam said pawl engages successively with the projections to efiecta large filling and a small weighing stream, a supplementaryWeighing-beam suitably ar ranged in electrical connection whereby thepawl is disengaged from the sliding gate to permit its complete closingand means for discharging the weighed material.

3. In an electrically-controlled weighingmachine having a beam providedwith a pea or other suitable counterpoise, a bucket or receptacle havinga hinged falling bottom to receive the material to be weighed attachedon one of the arms of the scale-beam, a hopper arranged over said bucketprovided with a discharge-opening, said opening having a slidable gateprovided with projections adapted to engage with anelectrically-actuated pawl and means whereby through the movement of thescale-beam said pawl engages successively with the projections to efiecta large filling and a small weighing stream, a supplementaryweighing-beam suitably arranged in electrical connection whereby thepawl is disengaged from the sliding gate to permit its complete closingand means for discharging the weighed material comprising a trip adaptedto engage with the sliding gate whereby the hinged bottom is released bythe closing of the sliding gate.

4:. In an electrically-controlled weighingmachine having a beam providedwith a pea or other suitable counterpoise, abucket or receptacle havinga hinged falling bottom to receive the material to be Weighed attachedon one of the arms of the scale-beam, a hopper arranged over said bucketprovided with a discharge-opening, said opening havingaspringactuatedslidable gate provided with projections adapted to engage with anelectricallyactuated pawl and means whereby through the movement of thescale-beam said pawl engages successively with the projections to efiecta large filling and a small weighing stream, a supplementaryweighing-beam snitably arranged in electrical connection whereby thepawl is disengaged from the sliding gate to permit its complete closingand means for discharging the weighed material compris-.

ing a trip adapted to engage with the sliding gate whereby the hingedbottom is released by the closing of the sliding gate.

5. In an electrically-controlled weighingmachine having a beam providedwith a pea or other suitable counterpoise, a bucket or receptacle havinga hinged falling bottom to receive the material to be weighed attachedon one of the arms of the scale-beam, a casing provided with afunnel-shaped discharge inclosing the bucket or receptacle, a hopperarranged over said bucket provided with a disiOG charge-opening, saidopening havingaspring- I gate to permit its complete closing and meansactuated slidable gate provided with projections adapted to engage withan electricallyactuated pawl and means whereby through the movement ofthe scale-beam said pawl engages successively with the projections toeifect a large filling and a small weighing stream, a supplementaryweighing-beam suitably arranged in electrical connection where- X( bythe pawl is disengaged from the sliding for discharging the weighedmaterial comprising a trip adapted to engage with the sliding gatewhereby the hinged bottom is released by the closing of the slidinggate.

ED WARD HANAK.

Witnesses:

WM. 0. CLARK, FRANK G. WESTERHOUSE.

